WFLO History

John Wilson
August 12, 1977

Thirty years ago today, August 12,
1947, WFLO in Farmville became a radio station. For several months, it
had been just an assembly of wires, a tower, studios and technical
equipment. Nevertheless, on this date 30 years ago, the Federal
Communications Commission in Washington sent a telegram to the station
giving it authority to commence broadcasting. At that time, the
station’s studios were located on west Third Street in Farmville, and
its transmitter located on the Cumberland Road about a mile and a half
away in a small building on state highway 45. If you’ve wondered how it
all got started in the first place, then here’s the answer.

In the late 1940’s the federal
government decided to do something about the need for additional small
town radio stations in the United States. Before that time, a handful of
large high powered radio stations had been allowed exclusive use of all
available frequencies, and no space was left on the dial for smaller
local stations. The Communications Act of 1934 was responsible for this,
but things had now changed. The Act was amended in the late 1940’s to
allow daytime radio stations to come into being, to operate on the same
frequencies heretofore reserved for the "big boys”, but this was for
daylight hours only. AM radio waves travel farther at night. The day
timers would have to sign off at night to avoid interference with the
big fellows. That’s where WFLO and several hundred other stations
suddenly had their chance. Mrs. Carla Keys of Johnson City, Tennessee,
who had widespread business interests, had an interest in building a
station. She was advised that Farmville, Virginia would be a good place
to do it. And so it happened; an application was filed, the necessary
paperwork and all taken care of, personnel contacted, engineers,
announcers, writers, sales staff, clerical workers, land was leased,
building leased, equipment purchased, and so on it went. And on this
date, 30 years ago, the big switch was thrown and FLO was on the air.
Only one person on the present staff was there at the time; O.C.
Covington, WFLO engineer for 30 years, is the only staff member who
remained throughout the three decades. I was a "johnny come lately”,
joining the station in 1950, becoming manager in 1953. There had been
three other managers earlier, including the original the late Harold
Gray, an interim manager in 1948 Jimmy Wilson from Johnson City,
Tennessee (no relation by the way), and the popular Chuck Maillet who
was my boss until 1953. Chuck now operates his own station in
Portsmouth, Ohio.

Under the continuing ownership of Mrs.
Carla Keys, WFLO slowly grew up. By the time she was nearly ten years
old in 1956, it had become time to construct a new studio building on
the Cumberland Road and consolidate studios and transmitter under one
roof. Since the company operated as Colonial Broadcasting Company, it
seemed logical to follow a colonial style in a new building. Thus the
tall columns and the colonial style porch on the building that is
serving today as studios, office and transmitter location.

By 1960, it was becoming evident that
FM, frequency modulation, would be helpful to the station. Once again,
there would be the flurry of paperwork for the FCC license, the
purchasing of equipment, not on so grand a scale as the original
application, but steps that were still necessary. And in that year,
1960, WFLO-FM was born at 95.7 with a power of 6,300 watts effective
radiated power. That means FM coverage about equal to WFLO-AM working
out effectively for maybe 40 -50 miles. The FM operation could sign on
early in the morning…5 am is the present daily starting time… it could
stay on later at night, all night if desired…sign off is 10 pm, except
11 pm on Saturday, present schedule. Different music and other different
programs could be heard on FM…In effect, a completely new station was
created. Next came mobile units…2 way radios, one mounted in a
four-wheel drive vehicle that was supposed to be able to go most
anywhere to give on the spot news instantly, fires, accidents,
interviews. Today there are three mobile units in operation.

In 1962, WFLO became the local weather
recording station, succeeding the late E.F. Striplin who had kept daily
weather records for the area since 1930. Today the station has teletype
service directly from the National Weather Service to bring up to the
minute information to the air as rapidly as possible.

For nearly thirty years, WFLO has
broadcast daily programs for local VPI EXTENTION Agents, alternating
from Appomattox, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland and Prince Edward
Counties. These programs continue today. Morning Devotions is another
original program continuing today after 3 decades. News programs
continue to be extremely important, and WFLO news is followed far and
wide throughout this area as one of our most important features.

Undoubtedly, the most important asset
to the station is its personnel; and here we truly cannot say enough.
After Mrs. Keys death in 1972, the ownership of the station went to a
small corporation composed of some of the senior employees. The
corporation continued the name Colonial Broadcasting Company, and added
Incorporated. And at this point, we list our most important assets by
name and length of service: O.C. Covington, engineer, 30 years…John
Wilson, 27 years…Al Smith, program and sports director, 24 years…Henry
Fulcher, country music, 21 years. Several whose length of staff service
range from 15 to 20 years: Ann McGahey, continuity…T.J. Fulcher,
sales…Gene Eike, assistant program director and announcer. Ten years or
more: Larry LeSueur, announcer and sales…Josephine Newcomb, bookkeeping.
A little less than 10 years: Francis Wood, news…Lucille Campbell,
traffic. And part-timers whose combined service average nearly ten
years: announcers David Layne, Bob Woodburn and night man Tommy
Jenkins…plus our most recent assistant, Julie Ryan, part-time
bookkeeping. These are the "lifeblood” of the station. Otherwise WFLO AM
and FM would be just another assembly of building, studio, transmitter,
offices, equipment, and etcetera. However, these are not just "anybody”
employees. They’re dedicated and loyal people, solid citizens in the
community, each involved in community activities and ready and willing
to help do what is necessary for the good of the station and the
community. We salute this staff today with pride and pleasure.

That is FLO in a nutshell today…30
years old now. WFLO is people serving people. With the Lord’s blessing,
may this service continue always in a constant effort to meet the needs
and interests of our listeners.

JOHN WILSON
JANUARY 2, 2002

The decades of the eighties and
nineties recorded significant changes at WFLO concerning personnel and
growth. Death claimed O.C. Covington, Al Smith, Larry Leseur, Gene Eike
and Tommy Jenkins. T.J. Fulcher jr. retired as sales manager and
Josephine Newcomb, bookkeeper, also retired. By 1990, Gene Eike was
general manager, as John Wilson had accepted semi-retirement. Gene’s
term in management lasted ten years until he was fatally stricken with
cancer in 1999 and John Wilson returned to management. Francis Wood
moved from program director to station manager and eventually to general
manager in 2001, as John Wilson again chose semi-retirement. Polly
Davis succeeded T.J. Fulcher as sales manager and Pat Wilkerson became
bookkeeper and finance officer.

WFLO FM increased power to 40,000 watts
(erp) in the ’80s and began full time broadcasting, going to a
syndicated program service by satellite at night. In 1995, the WFLO
parent company (Colonial Broadcasting Company Incorporated) purchased
the assets of WSVS in Crewe and became licensee/owner of the former
major competitor of WFLO. Gene Eike served as manager and engineer for
both stations.

Tragedy struck WFLO in the spring of
1996 when a severe storm destroyed the station tower, bringing it down
completely and consequently WFLO AM and FM were off the air for a time.
However, a makeshift AM antenna was put into service within a few days
to put Am back on the air at considerably reduced signal strength. The
rebuilding of WFLO FM was another story, but eventually the tower which
supports both AM and FM was rebuilt with an additional 150 feet added to
the tower height. In addition, FM power was increased to 50,000 watts.
The complete rebuilding process took nearly a full year before
everything was finalized at a cost of over $100,000.00. The loss was
partially covered by insurance.

The tower rebuilding process was a
story in itself and was successful largely due to the ingenuity and
resourcefulness of Gene Eike who drew important advice and guidance from
some of the broadcast industry’s experts in engineering and
construction. Gene had made previous contact with many of these
specialists through the Virginia Association of Broadcasters when he
served as president of that organization several years earlier.

WFLO FM "emerged from the ashes” of
tower destruction with a prestigious 500-foot tower and an operating
power of 50,000 watts, thus becoming one of central Virginia’s most
powerful and widely heard radio stations. This was a landmark
accomplishment for Gene and for those who worked with him.

WFLO’s strength today still rests with
its outstanding staff. Special mention should be made here of Henry
Fulcher whose tour of duty at WFLO began in the mid 1950’s and continues
today as one of the most popular figures in the area of country music
in Virginia. His love for country music, his quick wit and natural
ability to entertain, captured the hearts of listeners from the
beginning and today. Henry continues to delight his loyal audience of
morning radio listeners. He is also a part owner in Colonial
Broadcasting Company Incorporated and WFLO Real Estate.

The staff has been greatly strengthened
by program staffers like Chris Wood, who is the station program
director; by people like Elliott Irving, news director; Chris Brochon,
traffic and production engineer; Bill McKay, on air announcer and
bluegrass show host. Weekenders help balance the staff; William Lynn,
Sunday morning instrumental music, Novey Wiley and Wendy Jones, Sunday
morning gospel program, Janet Stuart and Drew Newton, afternoon, night,
and weekend announcers. Cannon Watson, former UNC football player, who
covers Hampden-Sydney football, has enhanced sports coverage and
basketball broadcasts. Winning Queensbury and his brother, Scott host
the WFLO high school football games.

WFLO History October 2012

Francis Wood

General Manager

WFLO’s transition into the 21st Century was both challenging and
historic. Many of the core employees have remained while some have gone.
Pat Wilkerson retired from the position of Bookkeeper and Finance
Director in 2004 after nearly twenty years with Colonial Broadcasting.
She has since passed away. Chris Wood filled this vacancy in addition to
her announcing and Program Director chores. Billy McKay (Bluegrass
Billy) came on board as an announcer in the summer of 2000 and remained
with the station until he left to pursue other employment opportunities
in early 2008. Our hearts were broken in July of 2010 when we lost
longtime News Director and Swingin’ Years host, Elliott Irving, to a
fatal heart attack. Elliott was much loved by the listening community
and his place at WFLO will be long remembered. Sales representative,
Karen Franklin, who had joined the sales team in early 2001 left for
other career opportunities in late 2011. A former WFLO account
executive, David Jones, returned to the sales force in late 2011. Radio
veteran, Jason Glenn, joined the WFLO staff in 2010 as office
assistance/announcer and was joined soon after by Longwood University
graduate, Jordan Miles, who began his career as News Reporter at our
station. Both of these young men have dug in and found their places with
the WFLO family. Part-time announcers such as Stacy Bolt, and Jacob
Miller have added their unique personalities to the Flo airwaves in the
past few years along with weekend talents, William Lynn and Novey Wiley.
Betty Robb Breen was a favorite behind the mic from late 2007 until she
moved away in December of 2011. Veteran radio announcer, Dan Albus,
came to WFLO in 2011 and found his niche as Swingin’ Years host and
morning and afternoon personality. 2012 saw the passing of two WFLO
icons when our radio family lost our president and former General
Manager, John Wilson, who had come to the station in 1950. John was a
true radio pioneer and worked hard to establish WFLO AM/FM as "Your full
service hometown station”. His dedication and influence will be felt
for years to come. Ann McGahey, passed away in the Fall of the year.
Annie, as she was affectionately called by co-workers came to the WFLO
family in the mid fifties and retired after 50 years of service. She
was special to us all. The young sugar maple in the front yard of the
station is a memorial to our dear friend. We call it "Annie’s Tree”.

In late summer 2007 WFLO celebrated its 60th anniversary. The event,
which was open to the public, took place at the Train Station in
Farmville and drew a packed house. Many of the former employees of WFLO
were on hand to celebrate the station’s rich history. Among those were:
Former general manager, Chuck Maillet, and Barbara Jean (B.J. the
Deejay) Trear. Also, in 2007 WFLO was selected to represent Small-Market
rural radio stations at the International Folklife Festival held at the
Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Henry Fulcher, Francis Wood
and Chris Brochon were on hand to meet the public on this special
occasion. A photograph was taken by world-renown photographer, Rowland
Freeman, who traveled to the WFLO studios in Farmville to stage the shot
that now resides in the Archives of the Smithsonian Institute in
Washington, D.C. A copy of that photograph hangs in the main office of
the WFLO building.

WFLO has continued to serve its vast audience with varied
programming. It remains the full service hometown radio station
listeners have known and trusted for generations. New state-of- the-art
transmitters (both AM and FM) have been installed to enhance the audio
signals from both stations. WFLO is very much up to date with the
digital age and is always evolving. It continues to set the standard for
what a community radio station should be.

Today, WFLO continues its leadership in
the community as a full service radio station, with the highest audience
ratings in the area despite the fact that several other stations have
come on the air in recent years in Farmville and the vicinity. The
station has consistently been a major factor in the lives and activities
of south central Virginians. As a local minister stated on Morning
Devotions recently, "Without WFLO, things would be vastly different in
these counties. This station is a great asset.”